Marine Biology in Honduras

  Caribbean

Rural Areas

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 20-July 4, 2009

Description: During Summer 2009, a group of students will participate in an exciting field course to the Roatan Institute of Marine Science (RIMS) at Anthonys Key Resort on Roatan Island (one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras). Participating students must enroll in BIOL 418 or 701 (both are 3-credit hour courses in marine biology). The course instructor will be Dr. James H. Thorp, a Professor in KUs Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a Senior Scientist in the Kansas Biological Survey. He has led many marine trips to the Caribbean with students, including recent trips to Bonaire, Belize and Roatan with KU students.

This two-week trip will emphasize the ecological study of marine habitats associated with coral reef islands. Students will explore coral reefs (near-shore down to 100 ft), sea grass beds, intertidal zones, and mangrove lagoons. In addtion, students will investigate the barrier coral reef during boat dives (usually two per day) and unlimited shore dives. Lectures and discussion periods daily on the island will emphasize organisms found in these habitats and the ecology of coral reefs. Some pre-trip meetings will also be held to prepare students both for the trip in general and for identification of fish and marine invertebrates. Grades will be based on a field notebook, lecture exams, and a report based on small-group research projects conducted in the islands marine habitats.

Participants will stay at Anthonys Key Resort with multiple students per room. Food will be provided by the excellent staff at the resort. Enrollment for the trip is limited to ~12 students. Both scuba-certified and snorkeling-only students are welcome, but students are strongly encouraged to become open-water, scuba-certified before the trip. Both options cost the same, but scuba-certified students will have priority if enrollment is limited. Final certification in Roatan is possible, but it is much more expensive and takes 2-3 days. No course pre-requisites are required, and students in all majors are welcome as long as they realize that the course can be more challenging to non-biologists.

Highlights: Academic Program

BIOL 418/701 Laboratory in: Marine Biology (3 credits)

This course is designed to give students a broader understanding of marine environments through first-hand experience at one of the largest and most pristine coral reef sites in the world. The program will concentrate on coral reef communities, but will also include exploration of sea grass beds, inter-tidal zones, and mangroves. Students will investigate marine environments with up to 2 dives per day.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Approximately $4,090

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $620.00 *

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the students individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Estimated Additional Expenses: Domestic airfare (approx. $600), books/supplies, personal expenses, passport fees, pre-trip scuba instruction, scuba equipment rental and dive insurance. Graduate students will pay a differential for graduate credit.

Note:
All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application